Two Americans, Canadian, Swede Killed in Tank Attack in Donbas

A Canadian citizen died recently in Ukraine, a Canadian foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Sunday.

"Global Affairs Canada is aware of the death of a Canadian in Ukraine. Consular officials are in contact with the family and are providing consular assistance," the spokesperson said, adding that further details would not be shared due to privacy considerations.

Ruslan Miroshnichenko, the commander in question, said two Americans died in a tank attack in Donbas alongside Emile-Antoine Roy-Sirois of Canada and Edvard Selander Patrignani of Sweden.

Miroshnichenko noted that the men were part of special forces within the Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He said: "The guys were tasked to take their firing positions" and clear a ravine where Russian forces were working to cross a river.

"They did it successfully. But at the end of the mission they were ambushed by Russian tanks," Miroshnichenko mentioned. "The first shell injured Luke. Three guys, Edward, Emile, and Bryan, immediately attempted to help Luke do first aid and evacuate him from this spot. Then the second shell killed them all."

At least six Russian tanks "were supported by four armoured personnel carriers with up to 70 infantrymen," according to a situation report obtained by Politico.

The report indicated that the Russian forces continued to bombard the group with heavy artillery "corrected by drones" for more than two hours.

"As a result of two hours of intense fighting, the enemy retreated with heavy losses," the report concluded.